Letter models
Lower-Case Letter Formation Cards
Twenty-six reusable cards with a clear starting-point and direction model, guided attempts and space for children to form the letter themselves.
View pack →EYFS & EARLY PRIMARY
Letter Formation & Name Writing
Create a personalised name-writing model and explore letters with a purpose.
Find lower-case and capital-letter formation cards, practical letter activities and ideas for using names in everyday play. For practitioners, teachers, childminders and families.
FREE WRITE MY NAME TOOL
Free name-writing generator
Create a free personalised name-writing model using our Little Owls letterforms. This online tool is available to everyone, with no membership or font installation needed. Choose a plain name model or one with starting points and arrows, then print a name-writing card or download the model as a PNG.
Enter the child’s name, choose the available options and check the preview before printing or downloading. Keep the spelling, accents and capitalisation used by the child and their family.
Practise individual letters
Choose letters that connect with a child’s current learning, interests or name. Show where the letter starts and how it moves, then offer a short opportunity to practise together.
Letter models
Capital Letter Formation Cards
Twenty-six reusable cards for practising capital-letter movements, with a model, guided attempts and independent space. Choose relevant capitals for names and other meaningful writing.
View pack →Choose relevant letters
Use these cards alongside your setting’s handwriting approach and, where relevant, the letters being taught through its phonics programme.
Recognise and explore names
Names give children a familiar connection to print. Find a name card, notice its letters or explore the first letter through art and play.
Initial-letter outlines
My Name Starts With…
Explore the first letter of a name using large capital-letter outlines. Fill the shape with collage, colour or suitable loose parts while talking about the letter.
View pack →All About Me
Handprint, Name and Picture
Create a personal record combining a handprint, a name attempt and a self-picture. Revisit it together to talk about what the child notices and remembers.
View pack →Resource collection
Self-Registration Displays
Make recognising names part of a familiar routine. Choose a themed display with individual name cards for children to find and move when they arrive.
Shown: Young Farm Animals free sample.Explore displays →Recognise, talk and explore
Children may recognise their name before they can form its letters. Offer opportunities to point, match, talk, build and make marks, with an adult writing alongside them when helpful.
Explore letter shapes and movements
Take letter exploration into practical play. Choose a familiar letter, look closely at its shape and try making it with different materials.
Practical letter activities
Animal Alphabet Multimats
Explore letter shapes with playdough and loose parts, or use a whiteboard pen on a laminated mat for supported letter practice.
View pack →Model the movement
When the focus is formation, demonstrate the starting point and movement before inviting children to practise. Choose materials and tools suited to the children taking part.
Use names in play
Give name writing a purpose: sign into a building site, borrow a library book, make a bus pass or sign a card for someone special.
Name writing in role play
Construction Site Sign-In and Identity Cards
Add names to worker identity cards and site sign-in sheets as children plan, build and play.
View pack →Name writing in role play
Library Cards and Borrowing List
Make a librarian identity card or add a name to the borrowing list when choosing a book.
View pack →Name writing in role play
Bus Passes and Driver Name Tags
Create a bus pass or driver name tag before setting off on an imaginary journey.
View pack →Resource collection
Cards for Someone Special
Choose a card to decorate, decide who it is for and add a name or personal mark to show who sent it.
Shown: Birthday Cards free sample.Explore cards →Keep a model nearby
Welcome the child’s marks and attempts, and offer to write with them or for them.
Supporting early writers
Support each child with meaningful reasons to write, clear demonstrations and opportunities that fit their interests and needs.
Start with something meaningful
A familiar name, a picture to sign or a message for someone special gives children a reason to explore writing. Follow their interests and choose a manageable amount of practice.
Show the movement
Let the child see you form the letter. Use the same starting point, direction and formation language as your setting or school, then practise together.
Adapt the experience
Offer more space, a different surface or a tool that is comfortable to use. Children can also point, match, build letter shapes, make their own marks or ask an adult to scribe.
Keep phonics teaching consistent
Names can contain spellings children have not yet been taught. Support name recognition and writing with an accurate model while continuing to follow the setting’s phonics sequence for reading and spelling.
Professional guidance
Explore further support for planning experiences and responding to children’s developing skills.
Professional guidance
Preschool Skills Progression Ladder: Early Writing
Explore possible developments in early mark making and writing, including interest in familiar letters and early name attempts, to inform responsive provision.
Explore guidance →Professional guidance
Foundations for Writing in Reception
Explore the physical and fine-motor foundations that support writing, with guidance for practical provision and responding to different needs.
Explore guidance →Questions about name-writing models
A few practical starting points for using the models with children.
Is the name-writing generator free?
Yes. The Write My Name tool is free to use on this page, including creating a model, printing a name-writing card and downloading the model PNG. The other printable packs and Professional guidance linked on this page have their own access arrangements.
Does my child need to write their whole name independently?
Build from what the child can do and is interested in. Finding a name card, recognising a familiar letter, making a personal mark or attempting part of a name can all be meaningful ways to take part. An adult can model the complete name and support a small part at a time.
What if the letter shapes differ from those used at school?
Ask the setting or school which models and formation language it uses. Check the resource before use so that practice supports a consistent approach.
What if the tool cannot show a character in the name?
Check every letter and accent in the preview. Some characters may be unavailable in the formation view; follow any message shown by the tool. Keep the name’s correct spelling and use a suitable alternative model from your setting or school if needed.
Explore more early writing resources
Continue exploring the collections that fit your children and setting.